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Charles Hynes announces takedown of 14 in Red Hook drug sale ring

Charles Hynes announces takedown of 14 in Red Hook drug sale ring

Fourteen were arrested in a major drug bust in Red Hook

Brooklyn District Attorney's Office

Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes today announced the arrest of 14 individuals engaged in ongoing narcotics activity in and around Brooklyn’s Red Hook Houses development. The takedown was the culmination of a long-term investigation by the Kings County District Attorney’s Major Narcotics Investigations Bureau and NYPD’s Brooklyn South Narcotics Unit that commenced in summer 2012.

Over an eight-month period, narcotics detectives made over 60 purchases of narcotics including heroin and crack/cocaine from several dealers operating independently throughout the housing development. The majority of the drug sales took place within a four-block radius of Hicks Street and Centre Mall. This takedown brings to an end one of several long-term investigations that were initiated by District Attorney Hynes’ Major Narcotics Investigations Bureau in response to community complaints.

The 14 individuals were taken into custody today. Simultaneous with the arrests, a total of six search warrants were executed and narcotics seized at the following locations: 507 Columbia Street, Apartments 5A and 5E; 22 Mill Street, Apartment 3C; 11 Bush Avenue, Apartment 1A, where some 70 glassines of heroin, 23 packages of crack/cocaine and a large volume of rock cocaine were secured; 11 Bush Avenue, Apartment 1C; and 82 Dwight Street, Apartment 5F, where approximately two pounds of marijuana and a “heat press” machine used for packaging were seized.

Charges for the defendants include Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree, Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia in the Second Degree, Criminal Possession of Marijuana in the Second Degree, Criminal Possession of Marijuana in the Third Degree, Criminal Sale of Marijuana in the Fourth Degree, and Unlawful Possession of Marijuana.

In an earlier phase of the investigation that concluded in September 2012, 12 people were arrested for narcotics activity taking place in other locations within the Red Hook Houses development. This second phase of the investigation reflects District Attorney Hynes’ ongoing commitment to enhance safety and quality of life in the Red Hook Community. “My commitment to Red Hook is steadfast,” said Hynes. “When the extraordinary people of this community asked for help with violent crime and drug activity years ago, I developed the Community Justice Center and we turned things around together. When it looked like the drug activity was creeping back last year and they once again asked for help, my office immediately commenced this comprehensive investigation, now in its second phase. These resilient folks survived Hurricane Sandy, and I assure you that I’m not going to let a bunch of drug dealers stand in their way as they continue to strive for excellence.”

The case was investigated by Detective Robert Negron, under the supervision of Lieutenant Kevin Carlton, Captain Natalie Maldonado and Inspector Donald Lyons of the Narcotics Borough Brooklyn South. Assistant District Attorneys Tara Lenich, Frank Santarpia and John Vourderis are prosecuting the case for the Major Narcotics Investigations Bureau. Marc Fliedner is the Chief of the Major Narcotics Investigations Bureau.